Singer Sona Mohapatra on Tuesday accused a Sufi Muslim NGO, Madariya Sufi Foundation (MSF), of hurling threats after it found her music video "Tori Surat" vulgar and which could flare communal passions. The MSF has denied the charge.
She revealed the 'threats' in a series of tweets to Mumbai Police Commissioner Datta Padsalgikar, saying the MSF has asked her to remove her music video from all communication media.
"They claim that the video is vulgar, will flare communal tensions," said the 41-year-old Mohapatra in her tweets late on Monday.
However, MSF spokesperson Sameer Mohammed Boghani termed Mohapatra's allegations as "belated, mischievous and twisted out of turn" to suit her interests.
"We have sent her an email raising concerns over the content of the music videos, the copies of which were also sent to Mumbai Police Commissioner, Khar Police Station head, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Indian Broadcasting Foundation and Custodian of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah, Delhi, on April 22. How come she sensed the so-called threats after so many days?" Bhojani told IANS.
He said that the MSF in its email (a copy is available with IANS) pointed out some 10 objectionable points in the music video content which have hurt the sentiments of Muslims, the Sufi spiritual heads, the Chishtiya Sufi Brotherhood, the Sufi Khanaqas and the Custodians and followers of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.
Dear @MumbaiPolice the Madariya Sufi foundation claims to work for Sufism,peace & universal brotherhood in their threatening notice to me. I ask you & #India ,what about the ‘sisterhood’?Why is it that in this day & age the women expected to cover up, not sing or dance in public
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
The Madariya foundation along with the agreement of the Nizamuddin Dargah have an issue with the description of my Tori Surat music video, “earthy incarnations of the feminine Divine” & with “a sleeveless dress and body exposing dancers”. Basically with everything woman & free.
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
The Sufi Madariya foundation has also called me a ‘regular offender’ & says that they find another five year old Video of me singing a Sufiana Kalam - Piya Se Naina on coke studio insulting Islam because I’m ‘dressed exposing my body’ & playing westernised music. @MumbaiPolice
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) April 30, 2018
"We requested her to remove the objectionable video and tender an apology failing which we would initiate appropriate legal proceedings. How can this be construed as a threat in any manner?" Bhojani asked.
Among other things, Mohapatra said the MSF and the Nizamuddin Dargah (New Delhi) have an issue with the description of the music video, "earthy incarnations of the feminine Divine," and with "a sleeveless dress and body exposing dancer".
In another tweet to Padsalgikar, Mohapatra said that she had got a 'threatening email notice' from the MSF demanding that she pull out the music video which has been cleared by the Censor Board.
She pointed out that the MSF has called her "a regular offender" and has found a five-year-old video of hers rendering a Sufiana Kalam "Piya Se Naina" on "Coke Studio" as insulting to Islam because she had exposed her body and playing to western music.
A Mumbai Police spokesperson declined to comment on Mohapatra's issue.
The singer, hailing from Odisha, rued that in the past, when she was threatened with rape, mutilation and acid attacks during the Salman Khan controversy, she received "no real help or remedy" but despite that she was safe.
The Thane-based MSF describes itself as a "non-profit humanitarian trust" working to promote Sufism, peace, justice and human rights, besides academic research.
When HT spoke to Sona, she was at the Santacruz police station. “I am just happy the police responded immediately because I did not know who to go to and it is very intimidating to receive a threatening message… The police have promised to talk to the foundation and my lawyers will respond to their notice.”
Not just Mumbai Police but after learning about the incident, another Bollywood singer and writer Javed Akhtar raised his voice to support the singer. He wrote on his twitter, “In strongest possible words I condemn those regressive and reactionary organisations who are threatening Sona Mahapatra for making a music video of a Amir Khusrau ‘ Geet . These mullas should know that Amir Khusrau belongs to every Indian. He is not your property."
In strongest possible words I condemn those regressive and reactionary organisations who are threatening Sona Mahapatra for making a music video of a Amir Khusrau ‘ Geet . These mullas should know that Amir Khusrau belongs to every Indian . He is not your property .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) May 1, 2018
Sona also tweeted:
The earthy incarnations of the feminine divine 🔴https://t.co/CzhoCgVkZ6
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) May 1, 2018
)If this offends you, then please go live in your pre-historic cave. )
